Veere Di Wedding has had all our attention for the past few weeks. Ever since the trailer was released, everyone’s been talking about the all female-lead film starring Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania. The audience, however, has been divided into two parts, some who are absolutely thrilled about the fact that the film is focused on four women and their realistic, crass, flawed but powerful and strong-willed characters. The other side is of the opinion that the movie is nothing but a vulgar chick flick. The movie has been creating quite the buzz and opening conversations related to the superficial expectations people have of women, not just in real life but on the big screen as well.
The latest news about the movie, however, revolved around it being banned in Pakistan due to its “vulgarities and sexual dialogues”. This is the fourth film to be banned in Pakistan this year after Padman, Pari and Raazi. While a lot of people accepted the decision made by the Pakistani censors, women weren’t so pleased with the decision and rightfully so.
Some even took to Twitter to express their discontent, have a look!
Pakistan is seriously allergic to anything that break stereotypes about women or even slightly progressive .. Malala, Sharmeen Chinoy, Veena Malik, Mahira smoking and now #Veerediwedding ..
— zaynab naqvi (@xaynabnaqvi) May 30, 2018
#VeereDiWedding is banned in Pakistan because of “vulgar” content.
Meanwhile there are men on the roads of this very country jerking off in public and no one seems to be taking any action in that regard.Go figure!
— Maznah (@Maazzzzyyy) May 30, 2018
Loooool Pakistan banned #VeereDiWedding. Nargis’ crazy butt dances and Shaan’s violent killing sprees were okay but you’ve banned this film coz it shows women have agency & choice. Way to go, idiots.
— Mahwash Ajaz (@mahwashajaz_) May 30, 2018
Desi censors be like:
– glorification of domestic abuse (Chain Aye Na)?
*MUNCHS POPCORN*– glorification of mass suicide (Padmaavat)?
*MUCH APPLAUSE*– a bunch of women discussing female sexual pleasure (#VeereDiWedding)?
*ER MY GAWD QIYAMAT IS HERE HAMARI IZZAT nooooo*— Hamna Zubair (@hamnazubair) May 30, 2018
Sonu ki Teeto ki Sweety was the most non-vulgur film ya of course. But oh my god, how dare a women cuss, ban Veere Di Wedding!!!!
Everyday, I get a reminder why men are cancelled.
— Faryal Hasan (@HasanFaryal) May 30, 2018
Censor board has confirmed that #VeereDiWedding is going to be banned in Pakistan because of “vulgarity” and also “theme.”
A film about a bunch of badass ladies being banned by a bunch of grumpy men, why am I not surprised?
— Hamna Zubair (@hamnazubair) May 30, 2018
Honestly I’ve never been so angry about any movie being banned here but #VeereDiWedding? FGS, I’ve been waiting for this one Bollywood movie since the trailer came out ?
— Fatima. (@notsocurvy) May 30, 2018
Really, they allow all the other films where women are objectified, and now that there is a film that has strong female characters celebrating friendship, and love, they have a problem. If men had taken on these characters, this film would not have been banned. #VeereDiWedding https://t.co/6vjwiGKirg
— Tania Saeed (@taniasaeed) May 30, 2018
I was SO excited for Veere Di Wedding. It was finally a movie that did not glorify bromance and masculinity and boys will be boys rhetoric. Banning it is just upsetting.
— Faryal Hasan (@HasanFaryal) May 30, 2018
Women have voiced their opinions loud and clear. It’s high time societies broaden their horizons and accept women in roles that are real and also been pulled-off by “men” for “far too long”.
Amidst all other conversations, Hello Pakistan speculated that the ban might just be temporary. Here’s what they tweeted:
Is the Veere Di Wedding ban in Pakistan a temporary one? According to the Pakistan Censor Board only Pakistani movies will screen in the country during the Eid ul Fitr holidays and celebrations! pic.twitter.com/vR7eqJw7of
— HELLO! Pakistan (@HELLO_Pak) May 30, 2018
A movie being a hit or a miss is beside the point but we hope, women-centric and unconventional content like this is at least given the opportunity to reach the audience who is willing to give it a chance.